The turkeys next door

No, I don't mean the neighbors, I mean real live turkeys, wild ones. We've been invaded.

Last night was a wild one. As predicted two weeks ago, thank you very much, we got our annual september thunderstorm. My daughter came over with her new puppy (Hudson) so I was expecting things to be livelier than usual but this went beyond expectations. This pup, a golden retriever, is about as mellow as a puppy can be, seems to need a lot of sleep. Not too hip on the retrieving thing yet, but that will come. Just happy to run around for a while, then take a nap. Repeat as needed.

We put the puppy in the fenced side yard and he seemed to be doing OK. But after a while he seemed to be pretty uncomfortable. This is a city dog and while our house is not exactly in the deep woods we do have lots of critters around. The night was full of unfamiliar noises and Hudson was relieved to be let in so he could curl up in his bed.

Moments after coming in, a raccoon fight erupted in the yard. Lots of hissing as two of them went at it, chasing each other up and down the trees and over the fences. This stirred up the flock of turkeys, about 10, in the neighbors yard and they chimed in with their gobbling. As the fight died away, there was a flash of lightening and thunder followed. Hudson curled up more. Then came a burst of rain.

I must say I didn't sleep much, every thunder clap was followed by a group gobble. The lightning was like someone taking my picture all night. The bursts of rain provided a background hiss. Hudson slept like a baby.

This morning, the turkeys have gone to someone else's yard. But don't worry about them, they are well represented by the National Wild Turkey Federation (NWTF), although from their web site it's not clear if they are being protected or targeted. Maybe they can organize a hunt, Hudson and I can guide.